FRESH 48 SESSION
Preparation Guide
What you need to know before your newborn’s session with H&M Photography
There is nothing that compares to the moment when you and your baby meet for the first time. This day you become a mother is one of the most amazing and life changing moments of your life!
When to Contact Me
Get in touch with me via email or cell (texting or calling) once you are admitted to the hospital. I know A LOT is going on at this time, but when you or your partner gets a chance, have them shoot me a quick text. This will give me a heads up to adjust my schedule, if needed, and capture your Fresh 48.
Once your sweet babe arrives, shoot over a text or give me a call so we can lock down a day and time. Fresh 48 sessions are done within the first two days after baby is born at the hospital (keep this in mind when planning when you will be checking out of the hospital). When you have a minute after things settled down, get in touch so I can get you on the calendar. Please keep in mind, Fresh 48’s take place during the morning hours or first thing in the early afternoon.
Prepping for the Day of Fresh 48
Feed baby right before my arrival and change diaper.
Have any hats, headbands or swaddles on hand and ready.
Try to tidy up by the window and bassinet. I’ll likely start with babe in the bassinet, most likely by a window, if available. The less clutter in that area, the more quickly I can get to photographing your babe and the less distraction there will be in the photos. I may move things around in the room if needed. Please communicate with your nurses that I will be arriving to photograph your fresh new family.
What to Wear
Baby does not need an outfit, but if there are headbands or little hats or swaddle blankets you would like to use, please feel free to bring them.
Go with what you are comfortable and feel good in. I’ve had mamas in robes, jeans and a tee, dressed up and just about everything in between.I have also just captured the baby and mom and dads hands. It’s your session. You do you!
I do recommend avoiding of bright and neon colors as they color cast onto skin and can be distracting in photos. Neutral, earth tones or jewel tone colors and one or two family members wearing a simple print.
Shirts with lettering or distracting graphics or patterns take the attention of photo away from that new bundle of joy. Unless that piece of wardrobe has a super special meaning, or special text. I always recommend keeping it simple.
I am more than happy to help! Reach out to me as you plan your wardrobe for the Fresh 48 session & I can answer any questions, help you get started or send some links your way with ideas.
Session Details
Fresh 48’s last 30-50 minutes. If baby needs to eat or be soothed, I follow baby’s lead.
I focus on the experience of your baby first 48 hours. What this means is I’m documenting baby how she or he is in the hospital. I do not bring props. I will bring a couple simple neutral swaddles. You are welcome to provide a swaddle blanket or we can use the hospital blanket. I photograph all those tiny details of your baby and some of those shots will be of them in just their diaper.
If siblings are joining for the session, I recommend having them come 15-20 minutes after I am set to arrive. This gives me time to get all those shots of your sweet baby by his or herself without big brother or big sister getting antsy. Arriving halfway through also makes for sweet photos of siblings seeing their new baby.